Selectmen’s Minutes
April 2, 2002
Present: Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Stephanie McSweeney, Peter Jones, Daniel Webster (absent). Also present were Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis and Management Assistant Meredith Scozzari
7:31 p.m. Vice-Chairman Cathy Kuchinski called the meeting to order read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
I. Request of Hanson Tri-Town Lions – Silva Redpath, Richard and Janet Fougere were present to request permission to hang a 6 x 8’ flag in front of Town Hall or fire station with lights as a fundraiser. The lights can be purchased for $10.00 in memory of a loved one. The Board felt the Fire Station would be a safer location . The Board recommended the Lions speak with the Building Inspector regarding sign by-law issues.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to support the project of the Tri Town Lions to put a flag depiction on Town property for the month of May with the approval of the Building Inspector, Wiring Inspector and Fire Chief. Voted 4 – 0.
II. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis informed the Board that there will be SATURN training on April 23rd at Bridgewater State College. He will be attending with Lt. Savage and Chief Hoyt. Lottery Commission has notified the Board that the Elm Street Grille is requesting KENO. The Department Head reports have been rescheduled until April 16th and the department head meeting has been rescheduled to April 25th. U.S. Justice Department will be in Town on April 25th to evaluate grants with the police department. Mr. Davis reported on the status of the Early Retirement Incentive bill. Mr. Davis reviewed his memo to the Board regarding the lawsuit, which has been instituted against Melody Lindsay regarding Acorn Road and the Town
Counsel has gotten a Restraining order prohibiting the cutting of trees or alterations to the property.
III. Vote & Sign Lt. Savage’s contract – Mrs. Murdoch recommended that the Board approve the contract, which includes a 3.5 % increase in the first year of the three year contract. Language regarding the Quinn Bill has been included and a stipend for coverage of the Chief after 30 days has been clarified.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Murdoch to approve and sign Lt. Edward Savage’s contract for the term July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2005. Voted 4 – 0.
IV. Request for Little League Parade – Hanson Little League has requested permission to hold an Opening Day Parade on Saturday April 20th . The Parade will form at the Town Hall and proceed to Botieri Field. Parade steps off at 12:00 noon.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to approve the Little League Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 20th. Voted 4 – 0.
V. One Day Liquor License Request – Professional Bartending – Comedy Night, Friday, April 26th from 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to approve a one-day liquor license for Professional Bartending Service on Friday, April 26th.
VI. Vote Ballot Question – The Town Clerk presented the Board with the Ballot question proposed by the School Committee relative high school building project as follows. “Shall the Town of Hanson be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one half, so-called, the amounts required to pay the town’s apportioned share of the bond issued by the Whitman Hanson Regional School District for the purpose of constructing originally equipping and furnishing the new district high school located in the town of Whitman and Hanson, including costs incidental and related thereto?”
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to place the question as read on the May 18th Annual Town Election ballot. Voted 4 – 0.
VII. Finance Committee Review Budget & warrant articles – The Finance Committee as well as Carole McCormack and Barbara Gomez were present to discuss the high school building project as well as the budgets. Mrs. McCormack reviewed the funding options and recommended utilizing the declining debt service with reserves. Mrs. Gomez also recommended declining debt service with reserves.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to support the School building project and to support the financing through the Declining Debt Service with Reserves. Voted 4 – 0.
Mr. McGovern indicated that the Finance Committee is operating on the no new hire policy, level funding expenses and only supporting a 4.5% increase in the school budget. Finance will not be supporting two new firefighters, which the Fire Chief has requested. All the requested budgets exceeded the revenues by $893,000. Finance is still waiting for figures on the contracts. The Boards discussed the disposal area and Board of Health’s request for additional personnel. Selectmen requested that Board of Health attend next meeting to address the issue. The Boards also discussed using stabilization as a funding source. Mr. Davis advised the Boards that a draft of the Special Town Meeting warrant will be available on Friday. Both warrants will be discussed on April
9th.
VII. Executive Session – Ms. Kuchinski announced that the Board would be entering Executive Session under reason number 3 – contract negotiations with the clerical, police, fire and dispatchers.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under reason #3. Roll Call – Kuchinski aye; Murdoch aye; McSweeney aye, Jones aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:22 p.m. Brief Recess
9:58 p.m. Returned to open session – Vote taken to reject the agreement with the clerical union as there has not been a meeting of the minds and negotiations will begin again. Voted 3 – 1 (Jones)
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
10:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned
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